where \(l\)  is a characteristic length of a statistical segment. Eq. (3.15) accounts for the finite extensibility of strands and thus diverges as the stretch approaches the ultimate value of \(\lambda _{lock}=\sqrt{j}\)  [1]}. Since the network is assumed to move affinely, shorter strands experience larger entropic tension even under a small macroscopic stretch. These large entropic forces lead to microscopic degradation of the filled network. The entropic tension of strands shortens the lifetime of the physical bonds. If tension is strong enough, free or bulk strands break at backbone or cleave at a crosslink and become elastically inactive. To take the deformation induced network alteration into account, we follow the method proposed by Itskov and Knyazeva [2]} and replace the lower limit of the first integral in Eq. (3.11) and (3.13) with the shortest strand that can survive the macroscopic stretch. The dissociation energy of labile or covalent bonds is modeled using Morse pair-potentials [3]}, [4]}
\( U^{(i)}(r)=U^{(i)}_{0}\Big (1-\textrm {exp}\big [-\alpha ^{(i)}(r^{(i)}-r^{(i)}_{0})]\Big )^2\) 
